if barack obama did anything good, you would never be able to admit it. just admit, you wake up with this obsession. >> sean: all right greta is next, see you tomorrow. >> greta: tonight governor palin, saturday goes to texas to rally for rick perry. and she even found time to crack jokes. >> a special hello to the c-span viewers. you may not be welcome in those health care negotiations but you have an invitation to the tea party. >> greta: much more on governor palin's jam-packed weekend. but first something you will not see anywhere else. on the record went to rome, italy where secretary of defense gates went on the record. first stop iran. >> things coming out of germany about iran. saying the foreign minister saying they were close to an an kpweplt with the iaea about

nuclear enrichment and you responded to that >> apparently president ahmadinejad has since responded to that, saying he was apparently going to go ahead and end rink the material himself. as -- enrich the material himself as opposed to the iaea proposal for the reactor. the truth of the matter is despite president obama's effort to engage with the iranians and every u.s. president has tried this i was in the first official u.s. meeting with the iranian revolutionary government in october of 1979, every u.s. president since has reached out to iran. but none, i think, has directly and with as much sincerity as president obama has. but the international community has done so as well in terms of the iaea's proposal on the research reactor the offering to talk

with the iranians about their nuclear program. the international community and the u.s. have given the iranians multiple opportunitied in recent months to provide reassurances of their intentions and they will begin to stop violating the mpt and various u.n. resolutions. the response has been consistently disappointing. now we are in a position to turn to the pressure track and get broad international support for serious sanctions in terms of trying to get the iranian government to change its approach. >> greta: today in terms of what ahmadinejad said he wanted to enrich it to 20% which seems to me ab low grid uranium nonetheless a crude nuclear weapon could be made with that is that your understanding? >> i'm not that expert on the physics of it. the proposal had been they would ship 1200 kilograms of

low enriched uranium to russia or wherever they were able to reach agreement and then another country, perhaps russia would provide them with the enriched 20% for the research reactor. but it would be fully safeguarded under the iaea so we would know where it was and it wasn't being further enriched for a potential weapon that's what has changed and that's what ahmadinejad is now saying they will do on their own. i'm not sure they can do that but that's what he said. >> greta: what is the problem? we reached out to them, the international community, sanctions held over their heads, what's the problem? >> i think that's a question. i remember after the iranian revolution in 1979, president carter sending a letter to the director of cia saying i'm not happy with the quality of our political intelligence.

we've been wrestling with that ever since. trying to figure out what is going on in iran in many respects is more complicated than i was with the soviet union. >> greta: the iaea agreement we've been struggling with iran they want to send some of their uranium out for enrichment but not all, presumably they want to hold some back to do what they want is that your thinking? >> i think their strategy is if they did anything it would be to slow-roll us. they are continuing to enrich, so one of the points that i've made on this trip is, the longer they wait iner s of this proposal the less available the tehran research reactor proposal from the standpoint of providing the international community with reassurance. they are continuing to enrich. if they want to send 20% of it out, 10% or something at a time and they are still

enriching, then the value of the proposal is significantly degraded, in my view. >> greta: i was confused with ahmadinejad's statement did he want to send 20% out or enrich to 20%? >> i haven't seen what he said. but what i've been told he said is that he was going to enrich to 20%. >> greta: now, what can we do? if indeed he forges ahead, what are our options? >> well i think there is room left on the pressure track. i think we have time to make that work. years and years ago cia did a study of international sanctions and when they worked and when they didn't. central to their working is the entire international community really being serious about it and enforcing the sanctions. it worked against south africa. it has worked in other places. where it didn't work is where a number of countries cheat or a number of countries don't participate. my hope is, that the way that

the iranians have reacted here, to the international community, will provide the political impetus to get everybody behind this in terms of sanctions that have a real impact. particularly on the irgc and the he folks running iran. >> greta: one of the countries that seems to be opting out or dragging its feet china. russia seems less interested in sanctions as well. i guess we have to get china and russia onboard. how do we do that? >> it is always a negotiating process. we're just at the beginning of it. i think it's gonna take some period of time. i would say weeks, not months to see if we can't get another u.s. -- u.n. security council resolution i think that is important then it provides a legal platform for the eu and individual countries to perhaps take more far reaching

steps. >> greta: if we don't? or if we have that -- if china violates it or some other country violates it then what? >> all i can say is we have been successful in getting several security council resolutions so i'm optimistic we'll be successful again. >> greta: you are optimistic the sanctions will have the impact? >> i think one of the things that has changed is the internal situation in iran. this is a leadership that faces some pressures that they didn't a couple of years ago. questions about their legitimacy from their own people. i think we don't really know, as i was saying earlier, i don't think we really know what the political chemistry in tehran is but i think we have to go through this step. >> greta: any idea how much time we have? >> intelligence analysts vary on that i would say probably a year or two. >> greta: in terms of wars that we are now fighting we

have afghanistan, iraq and the war on terror. those are our three main wars. sort of different sort of strategies involved. i want to start first with afghanistan. what's the state of afghanistan? >> well, general mcchrystal has been quoted saying he thought the situation as serious and deteriorating. in the last week when he has spoken at the nato defense ministers' meeting in istanbul he thought the situation was still serious, but no longer deteriorating. i think we are beginning to see the impact of the marines going in. we are beginning to see the impact of increased forces in other places. here's also, i think part of what many of us are feeling is that there's an intangible increase in confidence and hope. both on part of the afghans, but also on the part of the nations that are with us in

there trying to help. it is still going to be a hard fight. there's some very hard days ahead. but, there are some small signs that the strategy that general mcchrystal is following is beginning to bear fruit. >> greta: i realize there are limited resources, money, manpower. are the american people giving you what you need to fight this war? are you getting shortchanged in any way so your hands are tied? >> absolutely not. the american people, i know one of the misconceptions around the world is that the american people love war. the truth is, we've never had a popular war. first few years of world war ii were popular. then people began to get impatient as the war dragged on. but there has never been a war that was really popular in america. think back to vietnam and korea. i think given the challenges and the fact that we've been at war for eight years, the

american people have been amazingly patient, amazingly supportive and of course, the men and women in uniform are unbelievable. >> greta: next, more of our interview with secretary gates. nothing is off the table. iraq, afghanistan, pakistan, osama bin laden, more in two minutes. plus, sarah palin storms the national tea party convention. what happened? governor palin in her own words, minutes away. and you'll dump your old mop. but don't worry, he'll find someone else. ♪ who's that lady? ♪ who's that lady? ♪ sexy lady ♪ who's that lady? [ female announcer ] used mops can grow bacteria. swiffer wetjet starts with a clean pad every time. and its antibacterial cleaner kills bacteria mops can spread around. swiffer gives cleaning a whole new meaning. ♪ lovely lady

i'm out here talking about osteoporosis. with osteoporosis, you can still look and feel healthy. i know. that's me. on the inside, your bones can weaken over time, making you vulnerable to fracture. what can she do? ask your doctor how to help treat osteoporosis with once-a-month actonel. actonel is clinically proven to help reverse bone loss and can help increase bone strength to help prevent fractures. do not take actonel if you have low blood calcium, severe kidney disease, or cannot sit or stand for 30 minutes. follow all dosing instructions. stop taking actonel and tell your doctor if you experience difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn.

these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. promptly tell your doctor if you develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain, or develop dental problems as serious jawbone problems have been reported rarely. to get a free trial offer of once-a-month actonel, visit actonel.com and ask your doctor how once-a-month actonel can help you reverse bone loss. fancy feast appetizers. [dinner bell chimes] high quality ingredients like wild alaskan salmon in a delicate broth, without by-products or fillers. fancy feast appetizers. celebrate the moment. fancy feast appetizers. because metlife removed ifsthe guesswork.er combining the insurances family's need most, term life and disability, in one affordable package. see just how affordable it is to start building your safety net at metlife.com.

>> greta: continuing with secretary of defense robert gates. next stop the war in afghanistan. what is the difference the soviet union was in there for 10 years then went home. they lost because of the challenges of fighting in afghanistan. what are we doing differently or how has time changed so we don't have the same situations the soviet union did? >> i think had this is one of those cases where history is misread. first of all, the soviet union invaded afghanistan. they killed a million people. they forced five million to flee as refugees. they conducted a war of terror against them. and they had major powers working against them, mostly us. and providing a steady supply, sophisticated weapons to the mujahedeen. we are in a different position. we've been invited in by the

afghans. our presence has been sanctioned by the u.n. and nato. we have 44 nations contributing troops itch the heart being nato. a lot of nonnato partners. we are partners with the afghan people. this is what is important about mcchrystal's change of strategy. when he says the key to success is not how many taliban you kill, but how many afghans you protect. what is central is the afghans see us as their partners. they sure never saw the soviets as their partners. >> greta: we are reaching out to the low level taliban. president karzai has talked about dealing with the taliban high level and low level. you have any problem -- not problem, but any thought about reaching out to the taliban and bringing them onboard? >> first of all, we sort of in our own thinking about it, differentiate between reconciliation, which is at the political and leadership

level, and reintegration which is the foot soldiers and local leaders and commander. we think a lot of taliban participate because they are paid. others because they are the families intimidated. we think that as the momentum begins to shift, in this conflict, in the direction of the afghan government and the coalition that is in there helping, we think there's a chance that some substantial number of these lower level taliban will be willing to put down their weapons and rejoin afghan society. we have to do two things: create conditions which they can have a job and provide the security to protect them and their families many one of the things the taliban does when some of these people do cross back over, is kill them and their families. we have to provide them with the security so they know that won't happen.

>> greta: interesting we almost have to buy their loyalty. >> we just have to give them an alternative way of supporting their families. as far the reconciliation part of it, president karzai is putting together his own plans on this, we've been talking with him about it. that always ends up being a part of the end of a conflict like this. but the key is, it seems to me, is that reconciliation has to be on the terps of the afghan government and consistent with the afghan constitution. >> greta: is it working? do you see progress with it so far. >> in early of reintegration? >> greta: yeah. >> on a small scale. the first thing is to reverse the momentum of the taliban. >> greta: iraq. how are we doing there? >> actually, i think we are pretty much on track. the general is pretty comfortable with the

arrangements that we have, responsible draw-down that is taking place. the iraqi security forces have continued to improve. we will continue that training role with them through 2011. we'll continue to do counter terrorism operations with them. but we are pretty much on schedule. >> greta: we are on track to do our draw-down and leave. there continues to be violence there. you hear terrible stories about being people blown up by suicide bombers. >> sure, and it is clear it is al-qaeda. al-qaeda trying to come back. trying to show they still matter. trying to turn the sunnis again the government. trying to foment sectarian violence. all the information we have points to al-qaeda in this. so they are somewhat resurge agent that's why we will continue to work with the

iraqi security forces in trying to take these guys out what is important is that although occasionally it looks like the perils of pauline when it comes to politics in baghdad, reality is these guys are trying to solve their problems politically rather than with guns. >> greta: you mentioned al-qaeda, i think of bin laden. any doubt on whether he's dead or alive, whether we are going to get him or not? >> i have no idea. >> greta: just nothing? >> no. >> greta: the same with al zawahiri, no idea? >> no idea. i think the acts that the pakistani government is taking in south waziristan one of positive -- many positive aspects of that has been flushing some of these guys out of south waziristan. the minute they move around there's some opportunities. >> greta: next, secretary gates on pakistan. we met a civilian population

hostile to the united states. what are we doing to change that? find out, next. plus, maybe we shouldn't be doing this one, but we are going to. "saturday night live" made fun of on the record over the weekend and we'll show you the video and it is funny. ya know, i'm really glad we finally decided to see where raisin bran crunch is made. yeah, this trip is way overdue. i just can't wait to see all those crunchy flakes in action. i hope i get a chance to put two scoops!™ of raisins in some boxes.

you know what will really get us in the spirit? ♪ 99 boxes of raisin bran crunch ♪ ♪ if you're nice to me i'll share some with you ♪ ♪ you take one down ( and pass it around ) ♪ ♪ 98 boxes of raisin bran crunch ♪ three tasty ingredients, one great combination. ♪ raisin bran crunch! from kellogg! are more than words here. it'sersonal. i have diabetes. rodney's kid too. so we're so proud to manufacture... the accu-chek aviva meters and test strips... here in the u.s.a. plus, we've proven you'll waste 50% fewer strips... when you use our meter, which means greater savings... for people with diabetes, like me. now that's true american value. accu-chek aviva. born in the u.s.a.

>> greta: more with secretary of defense robert gates in rome, italy. how are things in pakistan? >> better than i would have dreamed possible 18 months ago. if you had told me 18 months or two years ago that the pakistani army would be operating in south what -- waziristan that they would have gone in the basra agency, swat i would have thought that would have been a miracle. they are going to do in their own way we will help as much as possible. i told them a couple weeks ago i said we are in this car together but we recognize on your side of the border you are in the driver's seat and you've got your foot on the accelerator. there has within been improvement in coordination and i think the pakistanis have done a terrific job.

they've lost a lot of people at least 3,000 soldiers it is not like they are not in the fight. >> greta: that's military to military. when i was in islamabad six, eight weeks ago i was surprised at how angry the civilian population was again the united states. the thing that was outstanding to me in terms of -- maybe seemed stunning, we had just given them a pledged 7.5 billion dollars we wanted to know where it was going and they were all offended the united states would want to know where the money was going. and there's a lot of hostility towards the united states. >> i think anti-americanism in pakistan is a real problem for us. i think it is a legacy issue this is not something that happened a few months ago or a year ago. the pakistanis believe we betrayed them on several occasions. we clearly left them in the lurch when we turned our backs on afghanistan in 1989, 1990, i was in the government then,

so i bear some responsible for that with the implementation of the preszler amendment in the early 90s, we had the basically break off our military to military relationship. so these guys figure we are in this for ourselves. we have no interest in them. we will leave as soon the situation, afghanistan is stabilized. we have to have a long term approach to pakistan that reassures them that we are a long time, reline ally in pakistan. we are going to be there with them and for them going into the future. it is in every aspect, politically, economicly and so on. the only way you can build that kind of trust, they call it the trust deficit. the only way you can build that trust is by actions and over time. >> greta: in karachi the other day bombing, 33 dead. headlines talks about the inch stability within pakistan. -- instability within pakistan. first thing i think about the

nuclear arsenal and how secure is it. do you have a strong confidence that their nuclear arsenal is under control? >> i would just echo what the chairman joint chiefs of staff admiral mullen said we are comfortable with the security. just to go back to an earlier point. one of the things that i talked about when i was in pakistan, al-qaeda the taliban in pakistan and the taliban in afghanistan are all working to the. and the al-qaeda, al-qaeda is helping the pakistani taliban, try to destabilize the pakistani government there. is evidence that al-qaeda is helping them plan these attacks the targeting, training on capabilities and so on. these threats are mixed together. it is a syndicate. trying to help the pakistanis understand that if any of the three of these or other suches

-- others are successful, it benefits the others. so we have to attack this problem as a whole rather than piecemeal. >> greta: much more of our interview with secretary gates tomorrow night. what does he think about don't ask, don't tell? is he in line with president obama on that? does he think guys and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly? 10 p.m., tomorrow night. the white house makes a big announcement. your reaction might be it's about time. plus, governor palin stirs up tea, bringing the house down at the national tea party convention. hear directly from governor palin, coming up. ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] every business da bank of america lends nearly $3 billionollars to individuals, institutions,

schools, organizations and businesses in every corner of the economy. america. ♪ growing stronger. every day. growing stronger. [music playing] when you take away all the canned chicken broth that adds msg, one stands alone. the secret is swanson 100% natural chicken broth. reliable, high-quality vehicles has been our first priority. ♪ in recent days, our company hasn't been living up to the standards that you've come to expect from us

or that we expect from ourselves. that's why 172,000 toyota and dealership employees are dedicated to making things right we have a fix for our recalls. we stopped production so we could focus on our customers' cars first. and technicians are making repairs. we're working around the clock to ensure we build vehicles of the highest quality... to restore your faith... in our company. for more information visit toyota.com. scared. they don't know where to begin. so we start to talk about what have they done and what are their goals. and then we plan. it's a very good feeling as an advisor to work with people and help get them to their goals.

once people perceive that they can control their destiny then they accomplish unbelievable things. [ male announcer ] we're america's largest financial planning company. meet us today at ameriprise.com. >> greta: is the white house getting the message about transparency? we report, you decide. president obama planning a february 25th, bipartisan health care meeting at the white house. if you want to be a fly on the wall, here's your chance. the event will be televised. during the campaign president obama promised to televise health care talks. so far many meetings have been behind closed doors. get out your remote. good evening who is going from the republican party? >> i don't think anybody knows. it is 2 1/2 weeks from now. i'm glad the president has invited the republicans to participate. we want to be there as full

participants not just props for the president to preach to. hopefully they will talk to the leaders. we have a lot of good ideas. i think it is important for the president to listen. he waited a full year this is a year late in coming to the american people. >> greta: you say you want him to listen to your ideas. one thing he made plain he's not scraping the existing bill passed in the house.úx he's inviting you with the idea thank you are going to work on the two existing bills and improve it. >> the american people don't want that he said because the american people don't understand what is in it. they just don't like what is in the bill. all these sweetheart deals with 13 democrats have said, cut me out, let my people -- my constituents let them out of of this part of the bill. cornhusker kickback, louisiana purchase, that stuff all has to go. we need a patient-centered health care program not

government-centered not insurance company-centered. >> greta: good to have all three talking the house, senate and the president and the parties that make up the vote. seems to be a problem going in if the president starts with two bills we are going to improve upon and the republicans saying the american people don't want that we are sort of starting with one hand tied behind our backs. it doesn't look like everyone is truly willing to talk? >> we've had hundreds of town meetings. i'd say to the president, let the democrats have town hall meetings this next week when they are home for president's daybreak, listen to the american people a that's what this president needs to do. that's what the members of congress who voted for this 2700 page monstrosity need to do. hold town meeting as listen to the people they will tell you. >> greta: what is your level of optimism that this is a

chance for everybody to talk a way to buy political fox for the american people? >> when i heard the president said he want to do this meeting it was a six then when i her the back stepping we are going to come -- i heard the back-stepping we are going to come in with our own plan, drops down to four. >> greta: that's not good. what do you want? in terps of this meeting -- in terms of this meeting. >> i want the president to listen to the ideas we've been talking about for a year. >> greta: he's going to say how are you going to insure 30 more million people and do it so it doesn't cost us any money? >> that's what he said in the state of the union. false choice, take what i'm offering or give me a plan that does all of these things. you need a step-by-step approach to this. we have -- i can bring a dozen ideas that each individually will help bring down the cost

of care and cover more people. this government doesn't do big things well. you have to go incrementally step-by-step in the right direct. >> greta: your idea is tinker with the system we have and improve the different elements that and the president wants to revamp it and do something that is rather extreme in terms of the existing program. is that the different in strategy? >> not just a strategy. a matter of what will work and what won't. the unintended consequences of this massive take over of 1/6 of our economy that affects everybody in the country personally it is not going to work that way. we can help cover more people get the cost of care down. that's what the american people want they want their cost cut they don't want medicare cut. having their premiums go up. >> greta: we travel and talk to people. it seems on health care one of

the things everyone talks about 1/676 of the economy, when it comes to health -- 1/6 of the economy, when it comes to the health, people get scared they worried about the program it turns everything upside down. it is easy to do it incremental i don't think it is so much the economic issue as the fear factor. >> people know what they have, they know what it works for them. they like the coverage they have, they just don't like the cost. if we can get the cost down. >> greta: you think it is money? >> that is part of it. >> greta: i think it is the uncertain timor. >> if you lose your job, you want to keep your reason. you have -- to your insurance those are things we need to address we can do it step-by-step not with a massive overhaul of the system. >> greta: are you going to ask

the leadership to go? >> there are two doctors, i think it would be appropriate for us to share our 50 years combined medical practice with the president. >> greta: you like it is going to be televised? >> i do. it has been the thing fox has been calling for a year. finally the president says that is not a bad idea maybe i ought to keep my word i gave over a year ago. >> greta: i wish we had video of what transpired with that deal with nebraska. any way, thank you sir. thanks for having me. >> greta: big news about the sudden death of michael jackson. doctor dr. conrad murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. the doctor is accused of giving jackson deadly cocktail drugs to help him sleep. today a media swarm was waited for murray. jackson's parents and five of his siblings were in the courtroom when dr. murray

entered a plea of not guilty. he could face four years in prison if convicted. this case will be making headlines for a long time. we will let you know what happens. here is what is coming up on the o'reilly factor. bill: big tea party -- and the good, the bad and the stupid, coming up. >> greta: don't miss bill at 11. next two things happened on saturday night you need to see. governor palin speaking at the national tea party convention. "saturday night live" spoofing us. i have asthma.

and when my symptoms-the coughing, wheezing, tightness in my chest came back- i knew i had to see my doctor. he told me i had choices in controller medicines. we chose symbicort. symbicort starts to improve my lung function within 15 minutes.

that's important to me because i know the two medicines in symbicort are beginning to treat my symptoms and helping me take control of my asthma. and that makes symbicort a good choice for me. symbicort will not replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. and should not be taken more than twice a day. symbicort contains formoterol. medicines like formoterol may increase the chance of asthma-related death. so, it is not for people whose asthma is well controlled on other asthma medicines. see your doctor if your asthma does not improve or gets worse. i know symbicort won't replace a rescue inhaler. within 15 minutes symbicort starts to improve my ng function and begins to treat my symptoms. that makes symbicort a good choice for me. you have choices. ask your doctor if symbicort is right for you. (announcer) if younot afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help.

[ female announcer ] introducing something unexpected to the world of multigrain... taste. delicious new pringles multigrain. new multigrain pops with pringles.

we all know haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake. tens of thousands of haitians have died, and that number is rising. we don't have time to sit around and talk about what we can do to help. you can help by donating today. much more ahead. first to now new york newsroom with ainsley earhardt. >> reporter: word just in from japan toyota recalling prius worldwide expected to cover 300,000, 2010 prius vehicles includes the lexus hs-250h and sai hybrids all use the same braking system which might have faulty software the car maker has recalled more than seven million vehicles worldwide to deal with an accelerator problem. >> pennsylvania congressman

murtha died from an infection after doctors accidentally cut into his intestines during routine gal bladder surgery. the 77-year-old passing away at a virginia hospital this afternoon the surgery was january 28th. he was first elected in congress in 197 a vietnam vet outspoken critic of the war in iraq. >> greta: governor palin had a busy weekend. saturday night dominated the national tea party convention. she says some democrats are blaming the wrong people for losses in virginia, new jersey and massachusetts. >> the only place that the left hasn't placed the blame is on their agenda. some advice for friends on that side of the aisle, that's where you gotta look, because that's what you got you into this mess. the obama-pelosi-reid agenda less secure, more in debt and more under the thumb of big government. and that is out of touch and it is out-of-date and if scott

brown is any indication it is running out of time. [ cheering ] >> greta: joining us live susan davis reporter for the "wall street journal" at the tea party convention. how many people were there? what were the demographics? >> there were about 600 people attendance was limited because they sold tickets. safe to say they could have gotten more people if hit been more open. saturday night when palin spoke they almost doubled the attendance there was 1100 attendants at least 240 media issued to cover the event which shows there's a lot of interest in what sarah palin is doing. >> greta: what was the demographics? >> i would say speaking very broadly it tends to be a little older, boomer e veterans, predominantly white

crowd in nashville. i haven't been to other tea party events. it is an er crowd you don't see the sort of youth vote you saw get behind barack obama and a lot of working-class people, a lot of blue collar people that are concerned about their own personal situations, financial situation about the country. >> greta: in terms of the speech, what portion of the speech was used to identify problems or criticisms she might have of the opposing parties or their ideas and what party was she used to promote her ideas? >> one of the things that struck me about her speech here, it is interesting she is going to be speaking at a lot of tea party events. they are almost campaign-style events. one of the things that struck me she spent a significant portion of her probably 45 minute speech hammering the obama administration on foreign policy, national security. these are the two issues when sarah palin was on the

presidential ticket she was seen as being a little soft on that was her achilles heel that she wasn't ready because she didn't have experience. if she is trying to build up credentials on policy matters, know how this is one vehicle for her to do that if she is considering a 2012 bid. >> greta: what kind of questions from the audience? >> easy questions this is a friendly audience down here. naturally, a base of people that supported her in the presidential campaign. a lot of shouts of run sarah run while on stage. she was asked what do you think conservatives should stand for? what do you think are the big challenges facing the country? there wasn't a lot of hardball questions. >> greta: did you get the sense this is a moment that is going to continue or -- i don't know if you can -- or this is a flash in the pan and after like the -- after this weekend, we are not going to hear much from them any more? >> i don't think it is a flash

in the pan. i think there is genuine voter concern. i think we have a volatile electorate now angry at the federal government. the question for the tea party and people involved in this movement, are they gonna be able to organize in some coherent, cohesive way to enact their agenda to elect conservative candidates to office? there's a lot of infighting. a lot of people disagree on should they have a leader or not? try and form a third party? support republican candidates? in some i was the tea party's biggest enemy is it self. if they can organize and get things done it could be more of a flash in the pan as a political movement. >> greta: thank you. saturday was the tea party convention palin hit the campaign trail with texas governor perry. >> things are so thigh in america today and there are a lot of challenges going on across our country, and who

better to lead than the successes that we already see in texas, i look forward to texas sending washington a message on how things can be done right because you're doing 'em flight texas! >> greta: joining us live is bureau chief of the dallas morning news at the hail -- at the rally. in terms of numbers i'm trying to figure out to examine extent they showed up for perry or palin how many showed up is that the usual number for governor perry or was it spiked? >> there were seven or 8,000 people at the rally, seven or 8,000 showed up for sarah palin. the governor has had rallies and they've attracted a couple hunt people. this was super bowl sunday, that afternoon and these people were out to see sarah palin, that's what they were telling me. >> greta: was she talking

about issues? did she talk about foreign policy or taking on the opponent? >> she was -- this is a contested primary where he's running against senator kay bailey-hutchison almost as conservative as he is. but she is -- she has known governor perry since theyster ofed together on the -- they've served together on the governors association they have a lot in common. she links alaska and texas. this crowd as people who, with a little rib president obama who loves their religion and guns. they are simpatico on a lot of things. she was there to raise the flag for governor perry. >> greta: this is a contested primary between senator kay bailey-hutchison trying to

become the nominee to run for governor. why does no gore palin say she supports governor perry and president bush 41 and former vice president cheney support kay bailey-hutchison? what are the different points of views for the different reasons? >> like i said, some of it is going back to her own relationship with perry. they served together and were chief executives i think she understands how that is. she and perry have a very strong anti-washington message. they have been beating kay bailey-hutchison over the head with that since she ran. she is a titan in texas, has been a very popular republican leader. and yet, right now she is being pained with all the problems that washington has produced and is being shown as somebody who voted for raising

debt ceilings and voted for the bailout. she went to change washington, but washington changed her this is the message palin has been selling very well and that rick perry has been using to his advantage in this primary. >> greta: fascinating primary march 2nd, early voting about to begin all eyes on this. senator kay bailey-hutchison and governor rick perry, interesting endorsements they have both have. kristi, thank you. >> thank you. >> greta: next, why does this man have 18 swords down his throat? find tphoeubgts. plus "saturday night live" makes fun of who else, us. we'll show you, yes it is funny. what's fresh from ziploc?

fresh shield containers block out air and lock in freshness. because when produce goes bad it's like throwing away money. save more food, save more money... with ziploc containers. s.c. johnson. a family company.

. >> greta: here's the best of the rest. caution do not try this at home. australian man set a new world record swallowing 18 swords. he did it on purpose. yes, he lived. he broke his own record. he says sword swallowing is not dangerous and practice makes perfect. we report, you decide. what is a killer whale doing in wisconsin on top of a frozen lake? ice fishing of course. actually there are people inside him ice fishing. a man in north wisconsin built this ice shanty and it looks like a killer whale. it can fit three or four fishermen. holds a table, chairs and

heater. finally, this video is always fun to watch. >> 8, 7, 6, 5, 2, 1, booster ignition and liftoff of shuttle endeavour: >> greta: magnificent endeavour and six astronauts blasting into space this morning. the shuttle is on a 13 day mission carrying a new room and observation deck to the international space station. the shuttle should arrive at the station wednesday. there you have it. the best of the rest. still ahead, "saturday night live" had some fun, with us. we'll show you, next.

[ sighs ] whoo-hoo! this hair color is a washout. try nice'n easy with color-blend technology. in 1 step, get a blend of 3 tones. highlights, lowlights, and shine. it makes a fresh, light-filled frame for your pretty face. nice'n easy. your right color. [music playing] when you take away all the canned chicken broth that adds msg, one stands alone. the secret is swanson 100% natural chicken broth.

>> greta: 11:00 is almost here, flash studio lights. it's time. last call. and yes. we can laugh at ourselves. did you catch saturday night live over the weekend? >> could this don't ask don't tell possibly come the a worse time? >> no. it couldn't. our military has enough to deal with already. we can change our policy after winning our two wars. >> when will that be?

>> never. >> so i guess obama suting -- putting politic as head of national security? >> it's the clintons all over again. >> great point. attractive line. carl rove, isn't don't ask don't tell working fine? >> it's been effective. don't ask don't tell allows members of the military to be gay, but not too gay. so we can get wills from will and grace, but not the jacks. and neil patrick harrises but not elton johns. >> so ellens but. >> exactly. >> and good one. guys and that is your last call. lights are blinking and we're closing down shop. thanks for being with us tonight. check out gretawire.com right now. make sure you follow us on twitter, go to